Shropshire young blind businessman completes charity skydive
A Shropshire graduate who lost his sight as a teenager jumped out of an aeroplane in a 10,000ft charity skydive to raise awareness about the plight of youth unemployment in the West Midlands.
Shropshire Council employee Josh Feehan (23) was with work colleagues from the graduate management team who all raised £5,000 for the Prince’s Trust which works to get young disadvantaged people into employment.
It was all part of Million Makers, a national scheme launched by the Princes Trust challenging teams of employees and university students to come together and raise £1 million to make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged young people across the UK.
The Shropshire contingent did the charity skydive at Tilstock Airport in Whitchurch, opened a beauty shop for three days in the Pride Hill Shopping Centre, held a raffle at Shrewsbury Flower Show and carried our numerous “bucket” collections. They also received a £300 donation from the Mayor of Shrewsbury during the Olympic Torch celebration in the town.
“This charity is something which is very passionate to me as I understand how difficult it is for young disadvantaged people to be given a chance to shine,” said Josh, who lost his sight seven years ago when a schoolboy at the Thomas Telford School.
“I went through a life changing experience. I was a young, fit and healthy person with the world at my feet. I was 15 and over the space of two weeks I went from full sight to becoming registered blind.”
Despite his life “turned upside down” Josh was determined that his disability would not stop him from succeeding. He passed all his GCSE’s, gained a 2:1 degree in sports management at Leicester University and beat hundreds of others to a graduate management traineeship with the unitary authority.
But after leaving university, Josh initially struggled to find full time work and spent many months doing voluntary work for sports organisations. This included a coaching stint for Wolverhampton Wanderers community trust and helping disabled children enjoy sport in Telford - while collecting rejection letters from potential employers.
“I struggled to find employment like the other one million young people out there and with my disability I began to believe that I was having to break down more barriers and prove myself so much more,” said Josh, who lives with girlfriend Zara in their new Telford home.
“But I was extremely fortunate that Shropshire Council saw my potential and offered me a role on their graduate scheme.
“I understand how fortunate I am and now I want to give something back to help an organisation which will support more young people into employment as this is a crucial part of life and has had a fantastic impact on my life since I started working.”
Youth unemployment is at a record high with one in five under 24’s out of work in the West Midlands.
Over the past 35 years, the Princes Trust set up by Prince Charles has helped more than 55,000 young people find work.
Individuals or businesses wanting to still sponsor Josh can contact him on 01743 255921or at Josh.feehan@shropshire.gov.uk
